Pacific Northwest Ballet celebrates the 30th Anniversary of The Nutcracker

Pacific Northwest Ballet celebrates the 30th Anniversary of The Nutcracker

November 30 – December 29, 2013

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall

321 Mercer Street, Seattle Center

Seattle, WA 98109

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Featuring the PNB Orchestra under the direction of Emil de Cou

Choreography: Kent Stowell

Scenic and Costume Design: Maurice Sendak

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

World Premiere: December 13, 1983, PNB

SEATTLE, WA – Pacific NorthwestBallet is delighted to celebrate three decades of Kent Stowell and Maurice Sendak’s one-of-a-kind Nutcracker, the Northwest’s favorite holiday tradition! Praised by The New York Times as “original and exciting,” PNB’s signature Nutcrackeris the brilliant result of close collaboration between PNB Founding Artistic Director and choreographer Kent Stowell and renowned children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are). The larger-than-life production features over 200 dancers, the mighty PNB Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, gigantic moving sets, and a snowfall at every performance. PNB’s Stowell & Sendak Nutcracker celebrates its 30th Anniversary with 31 performances at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall, November 30 through December 29, 2013. Tickets to Nutcracker may be purchased through the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424, online at pnb.org,or in person at 301 Mercer St. A limited number of tickets are also available through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. No other outlets are authorizedto sell Pacific Northwest Ballet Nutcracker tickets.

ABOUT THE SHOW

“Pacific Northwest Ballet broke all box office records in its nine-year history of performances with an incredible 99% capacity audience for the new Nutcracker. Twenty-six performances were presented December 13–31 [1983] to 78,000 people; approximately 16% of Seattle’s population!”—PNB press release following the 1983 premiere of the Stowell/Sendak Nutcracker

Pacific Northwest Ballet can proudly lay claim to one of the world’s most recognized and celebrated productions of Nutcracker. Combining Kent Stowell’s charming and dramatic choreography with magnificent sets and costumes by Maurice Sendak, Nutcracker premiered to national acclaim on December 13, 1983. Drawing on E.T.A. Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, Stowell and Sendak delved deeply into the original story and infused the ballet with a drama and strength that fully compliments Tchaikovsky’s classic score. The following year saw the publication of Nutcracker, a new edition of the original Hoffman story with illustrations by Sendak, which remained on The New York Times’ Best Seller List for eight weeks. In 1986 a feature-length film of the Stowell & Sendak Nutcracker was released nationwide, however audiences and critics universally agree that PNB’s stunning production is best viewed live onstage. With its vast array of roles danced by PNB’s professional dancers and students of Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Baby Mice can dream of one day being Party Girls, Soldiers, Chinese Tigers, Snowflakes or Flowers, and, ultimately, the lead roles of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.

TICKET INFORMATION

Ticket range: $25 – $140 ($22 – $130 for children 12 and under. All ages require a ticket for admission, including babes in arms.) Tickets may be purchased through the PNB Box Office:

Tickets are also available – subject to availability – 90 minutes prior to each performance at McCaw Hall, located at 321 Mercer Street. A limited number of Nutcracker tickets are available through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. NOTE:No other ticket outlets are authorizedto sell Pacific Northwest Ballet Nutcracker tickets.

McCaw Hall is located on the Seattle Center campus at 321 Mercer Street. Parking is available directly across the street in the Mercer Garage. Visit seattlecenter.com/transportation for parking and driving directions, and visit wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle for up-to-the-minute traffic and weather conditions.

November 30 & December 1, kick off the holidays with our festive lobby activities including crafts, mini dance classes and story time, roaming magicians, Nutcracker characters and carolers—all FREE for ticket holders! Guests arriving early for any of the three opening weekend performanceswill enjoy this joyous celebration in the splendor of McCaw Hall, shimmering with holiday décor and a soaring 20-foot tree. Pre-performance festivities begin one hour before curtain.

Opening Night Broadcast

PNB partners with 98.1 Classical KING FM to bring listeners some of history’s most popular ballet scores, featuring the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra direct from McCaw Hall. Tune in for a live Opening Night broadcast of Nutcracker on Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 pm. Only on KING FM, 98.1 fm or online at king.org/listen.

See the Ballet…and Play the Instruments

Classical KING FM and Music Center Northwest will host their popular Instrument Petting Zoo at Nutcracker matinees on November 30 and December 1, 14, 15 & 21. Stop by and get a feel for the instruments that make Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score come to life.

Nutcracker Brunch

Join the PNB League at 9:30 am on Saturday, December 7 for a fun-filled holiday event designed for younger children and their families. Enjoy activities for kids, a delicious brunch, and a special Nutcracker-themed mini performance to delight the young and young-at-heart. Brunch tickets may be purchased through the PNB Box Office. For more information about this annual sell-out event, email events@pnb.org.

Deck the Halls with Boughs of NewsprintAll of the entries in TheSeattle Times’ “Create the Costume” coloring contest will be on display at McCaw Hall through the run of Nutcracker and one entry will win a magical weekend for four, including Nutcracker tickets, overnight accommodations at the Maxwell Hotel, dinner at Ivar’s Acres of Clams, and an autographed Nutcracker poster! Check copies of TheSeattle Times starting on November 10 for costume pieces and contest entry form.

More, More, More

Visit PNb.org/Community/PNBKids for fun stuff for kids and FAQs for their parents.

Nutcracker Suites at McCaw

Avoid the lines and bustle of the lobby and enjoy a special experience at intermission! The Allen Foundation for the Arts room on the fourth floor of McCaw Hall will be transformed into a holiday wonderland for guests to enjoy after the first act with a range of holiday treats and activities: a Trophy Cupcakes Sprinkle Station where you can create your own custom sweet treat,a hot cocoa station to mix and match marshmallows and toppings, swords and crowns for snap-your-own pictures, a holiday appetizer buffet by Executive Chef Shawn Applin, and a selection of beverages.To purchase admission to the Nutcracker Suites, visit tickets.savormccaw.com/The-Nutcracker-Suites. (Nutcracker performance tickets sold separately.)

DISCOUNT OFFERS

Teen Tix

PNB is a proud participant in Seattle Center’s Teen Tix program. Teen Tix members may purchase tickets to the Friday, December 27, 5:30 performance of Nutcracker, on a first-come, first-served basis, day-of-show only. No Teen Tix “parent/companion tickets” are available for this performance. To learn more about Teen Tix, visit TeenTix.org.

Bring a Group to Nutcracker and Save!
From a familial flock of 15 to a throng of 3,000 of your closest comrades, PNB’s Nutcracker is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season! Bring a group of family, friends, co-workers, or clients and receive up to 15% off regular Nutcracker prices, depending on date, time, and section. In addition to outstanding savings, groups receive personal ticketing assistance, the opportunity to book a backstage tour, and access to McCaw Hall reception facilities that may be rented for private parties. For more information or to purchase group tickets, visit our group tickets page (PNB.org/Season/GroupTickets) or contact Julie Jamieson at 206.441.2416 or juliej@pnb.org.

Pacific Northwest Ballet’sNutcrackeris made possible by our Major Sponsor, Snoqualmie Tribe, Supporting Sponsor Bank of America, and Opening Week Sponsor Sterling Savings Bank. Media support for Nutcrackeris provided by The Seattle Times and KOMO 4. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 2013-2014 Season is proudly sponsored by ArtsFund and Microsoft Corporation. The season is also sponsored in part by 4Culture, and Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture.

Schedule and programming subject to change. For further information, please visit pnb.org